ABERDEEN, Md. – On a wet Sunday at IBEW Local 24 Union Field at Ripken Stadium, the State College Spikes rallied in the fifth inning but fell just short as the Aberdeen IronBirds were awarded a 5-3 decision in a game cut down to five innings by rain.
Despite the result, the Spikes (12-8 2nd Half) maintained a half-game lead over the IronBirds (12-9 2nd Half) in the race for the MLB Draft League’s second-half title.
After a 48-minute delay at the outset, Aberdeen took a 2-0 lead in the first on back-to-back RBI doubles from Dylan Winebrenner and former Spike Brylan West. The IronBirds then increased the lead in the fourth when Jevin Relaforddrove in a run with a single, then trotted home on Isaiah Parido’s first homer of the season, a two-run shot to left field.
However, with the rain steadily growing in the fifth, Justin Journette reached base on an infield single, and Stan DeMartinis III and Jackson Rains were each hit with a pitch to load the bases, at which point the game was halted.
After a further 95-minute delay, the game resumed as Spikes newcomer Blake Bradford was hit by a pitch to trim the margin to 5-1. Nyan Hayes then reached on an infield single to score another run to make it 5-2, and a pitch that bounced past catcher Dylan Winebrenner but was ruled a passed ball brough Rains in to make it a 5-3 game.
Back-to-back strikeouts then brought Camden Ross to the plate, and he was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Ross, who walked and flied out in his previous two plate appearances, saw his 15-game hitting streak end on Sunday.
Ethan Swidler would nearly gave the Spikes the lead one batter later, but his fly ball to left was chased down at the warning track by Aberdeen left fielder Brycen Hammonds.
The game was then called for good one batter into the bottom of the fifth after it had become an official game, the only game of the series after Saturday’s game was canceled.
IronBirds starter Ethan Phillips (1-0) was credited with the win after going four innings in a five-inning game, the only way a starter can earn the win going less than five innings. Phillips was charged with three runs on two hits, two hit batsmen and a walk while striking out four batters. Billy Barlow (1) took over on the mound upon the resumption of the game and recorded all three outs in the fifth for the save.
Vincent Spizzoucco (0-1) took the loss for the Spikes after going the first four innings and allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks while recording one strikeout.
After an off day on Monday, the Spikes will begin a six-game homestand at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park with the opener of a three-game series against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Tuesday. The Spikes will have three games against the Scrappers and three against the IronBirds during the homestand, with all six games beginning at 6:35 p.m.
The homestand begins with Walking Taco Tuesday presented by Bigfoot Country Legends, featuring half-price Walking Tacos at the Salsa concession stand all game long, plus a half-price Miller Lite and Coors Light Happy Hourfor fans of age from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The fun continues with Glizzy and Wine Wednesday presented by Seven Mountains Wine Cellars featuring half-price Hot Dogs all game long and half-price Seven Mountains Wine Cellars wine and Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., followed by Thirsty Thursday presented by The BUS featuring $2 12-oz. drafts from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The weekend will feature the return of Youth Sports Night, as members of youth sports teams in the area can get discounted tickets for the game, and any player wearing their jersey to a Youth Sports Night game will be able to get a discount at the Spikes Ticket Office, along with a Bat and Ball Set Giveaway for the first 100 kids 12 and under wearing their jersey.
Saturday, August 8, the Spikes will host the National Coffee Month Celebration as the first 500 fans will receive a Spikes Coffee Mug Giveaway presented by W.C. Clarke’s The Cheese Shoppe to mark a caffeinated (or decaf if you prefer) night at the ballpark.
Then, on Sunday, August 9, the Spikes will welcome at two-time National Champion wrestler with a Mitchell Mesenbrink Appearance presented by Lion Country Kia at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Mesenbrink, who has helped lead the way to three team national titles on the mat as well, will sign autographs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., taking time out to throw out the game’s first pitch.
In addition, the first 500 fans through the gates when they open at 5:30, with early admission for Season Ticket holders and groups, will receive a Mitchell Mesenbrink T-Shirt presented by Lion Country Kia.
Plus, August 9 is the final Bark in the Park of the season presented by Plum Pristine Clean and Timberland Federal Credit Union. Fans can bring their four-legged friend as the ballpark goes to the dogs.
Tickets for all six games in the upcoming homestand, along with every remaining home game on the 20th Anniversary Season schedule, are available by calling 814-271-1711 or by visiting the Spikes Ticket Office from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with hours during home game days of 10 a.m. to the end of the game Monday through Friday and 12 p.m. to the end of the game on Saturday and Sunday.
Fans can also buy and download single-game tickets, and view the 2026 promotional schedule, by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com
Catch all the action of the Spikes’ game against the Scrappers on Tuesday via the Spikes Radio Network presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, Official Healthcare Provider of Penn State Athletics with Steve Jones and Joe Putnam on the call. The broadcast starts with Spikes Live! presented by Mount Nittany Health on the air from Medlar Field at Lubrano Park starting at approximately 6:05 p.m.
Audio streaming of every Spikes game, home and away, is available on StateCollegeSpikes.com.
